Tan-Through Sunglasses

ABSTRACT

The basic object of this invention is the use of light selective materials and fabrics to increase the utility of a garment or sports article. The invention is the novel idea that light selective materials and fabrics can radically improve the usefulness, pleasure, and appeal obtained from sportswear and other garments. Examples taught include life vests, ski vests, ski pants, ski helmet/hat, and sunglasses.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/197,791filed on Aug. 4, 2005 for “LIGHT SELECTIVE SPORTS GARMENTS now U.S. Pat.No. ______; which is a division of U.S. Ser. No. 10/832,841 filed onApr. 26, 2004 for “LIGHT SELECTIVE SPORTS GARMENTS” now U.S. Pat. No.6,968,574; which is a division of U.S. Ser. No. 10/083,844 filed on Feb.25, 2002 for a “LIGHT SELECTIVE SPORTS GARMENTS” now U.S. Pat. No.6,854,844; which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/680,484filed Oct. 6, 2000 for “LIGHT SELECTIVE GARMENTS”, now U.S. Pat. No.6,350,168; which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/472,495filed Dec. 27, 1999 for a “SUN TANNING LIFE VEST”, 1999, now abandoned;which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/927,243 filed Sep.11, 1997 for a “SUN TANNING LIFE VEST”, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,395; allof which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

People are encouraged to wear life jackets when they are engaged inwater sports such a water-skiing, boating, or jet-skiing. However, thesame individuals are usually interested in an even suntan. When someonewears a traditional life jacket the area under the life jacket receivesno tan and the other areas are very darkly tanned leaving embarrassinglines between the two regions.

Clothing, especially bathing suits, is now available that allows thepassage of ultraviolet radiation to facilitate a full body suntan.However, no one has taught a practical lifevest that will transmitultraviolet rays to give an even tan.

There is another issue—aesthetics. An individual may not wish to coverup their body or swimsuit with a light-blocking life vest. Thus, thereis a need for a safe and practical life vest that would allow thepassage of visible light.

Snow skiers and mountain climbers could also benefit from lightselective articles. Garments that would pass heat-carrying ultra-violetradiation but block the loss of the body's infrared radiation would bevery useful. Alternatively, garments that would pass visible light wouldbe attractive for the style conscious resort skier that wished to showoff their underjacket garments.

In spite of the numerous possible uses for light selective sportgarments there have been none taught beyond the famous lighttransmitting swimsuit invention of Reidel (U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,798).Reidel's fabric is actually not light transparent but based on theclever trick of a very loose fabric hexagonal weave) so that only ⅓ ofthe skin is covered. Camouflage patterns on the suit then provideprivacy by preventing the discernment of small physical features.Bortnick (U.S. Pat. No. 4,546,493) taught another swimsuit approach witha conventional rectangular weave but with coated fibers.

Other mentions of light passage in garments have been directedessentially to novelties. Danzy (U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,476) teaches atransparent patch in part of a garment to better display tattoos. Jones(U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,688) teaches a transparent pouch sewn onto aT-shirt to hold, for example, a liquid appearing like beer. Wheeler(U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,109) teaches what is essentially sunglassesattached to a cap.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The basic object of this invention is the use of light selectivematerials and fabrics to increase the utility of a garment or sportsarticle. The invention is the novel idea that light selective materialsand fabrics can radically improve the usefulness, pleasure, and appealobtained from sportswear and other garments.

To illustrate the broad applications of this concept the following TableI may be useful by depicting a few examples:

TABLE I Sample Uses of the Invention Gas Light wavelengths InfraredVisible UV-A UV-B Filler Tan-Thru ™ life vest optional Block Pass BlockYes Fast-Tan ™ life vest optional Block Pass Pass Yes See-Thru ™ lifevest optional Pass Block Block Yes See & Tan-Thru ™ optional Pass PassBlock Yes life vest Greenhouse ™ Ski Vest Block Block Pass optionaloptional Show-Me ™ Ski Vest Block Pass optional optional No Air-Bag ™ski pants optional Pass optional optional Yes

For a Tan-Thru life vest one would prefer to transmit UV-A for the skintanning properties but to limit the UV-B. The visible light is blockedfor reasons of modesty and consumer choice. For the infrared radiation,we have two choices which can actually correspond to two differentproducts. For colder and cloudy weather we would want to hold theinfrared radiation within the body so we would block it to keep thewearer as warm as possible. This also reduces cancer risk as infraredcan be carcinogenic. For sunny but chilly weather, when there is moreinfrared from the sun, we may wish to transmit this infrared heat towarm the user short-term. All of the life vests are either permanentlyor temporarily filled with a gas (including air or a foam material) toprovide flotation.

For the Fast-Tan™ life vest, the UV-B would also be passed as the UV-Bis a strong promoter of melanization. For the See-Thru™ life vest, thevisible light is passed but both of the UV wavelengths are blocked. Theinfrared treatment is optional as discussed above. For the See &Tan-Thru™ life vest both visible and UV-A light are transmitted but theUV-B is blocked.

The Greenhouse™ snow-ski vest (alternatively a coat with full lengthsleeves) would transmit UV-A as it provides high energy heating at highaltitudes. The warm body then attempts to retransmit infrared (being oflower temperature than the sun and hence giving off lower frequencyphotons) which is blocked. Visible light is blocked to allow for themore modest consumer. The UV-B passage is optional. Blocking thisreduces ultraviolet damage to light sensitive clothing beneath the vest.Gas filling is optional as it presents more insulation but also morebulk. Note that a single layer of UV-A passing material, that blocks IR,can warm the user without any gas filling being required.

The Show-Me™ ski vest or jacket passes visible light to allow the wearerto reveal clothing or physique beneath. The infrared is blocked toretain heat. The UV-A passage is optional depending on the amount ofwarming desired. No gas filler is indicated for this device.

The Air-Bag™ snow ski pants are gas filled. They offer light weightwarmth and cushioning for falls. They protect the hips from falls as airis a very good shock absorber. They would pass visible light to preventapparent bulk. Other light wavelength passage choices are optional.

It should be clear from the above samples that this invention presents amajor new avenue in sport garments. The chart gives seven samples.However, if one were to amplify on this by considering more possiblechoices, the number of possibilities are impressive. For example, withthe five choices of light wavelength transmission and gas filling thereare 32=2*2*2*2*2 combinations. There are many choices for the garment orsport article to apply this invention to. Just counting the following:life vest, snow ski vest, snow ski jacket, snow ski pants, hat, gloves,umbrella, and tent gives 10 choices. Multiplying the 10 choices by the32 combinations gives us 320 illustrations of this invention. The readerwill appreciate that it is not necessary to list every one of theseapplications.

Beyond that flexibility, there are choices and materials that woulddivide the various light frequencies into different bands. For example,one might pass the lower frequency part of UV-B (310-320 nm wavelength)while blocking the more dangerous UV-B which has the 290-310 nmwavelengths. This would allow stimulation of tanning without the highercancer risk of the full UV-B band.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a life vest embodiment of the invention,which is continuously inflated.

FIG. 2 shows the side view of the continuously inflated life vestembodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the acutely inflating life vest embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 4 shows details of the emergency inflating version.

FIG. 5 shows the details of the rapid inflation mechanism.

FIG. 6 shows details of the manually inflating hybrid version.

FIG. 7 shows details of a full emergency system with whistle andflashers.

FIG. 8 shows system with multiple chambers with protective valves.

FIG. 9 shows the foolproof mechanism for gas cylinder installation.

FIG. 10 shows the embodiment of an integral coarse weave fabric tominimize the stickiness of the inside of the clothing embodiments.

FIG. 11 shows textural solutions to the stickiness problem.

FIG. 12 shows the foam used in one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 shows the use of crotch straps for further securing the lifevest to the body.

FIG. 14 shows the use of gas pockets distinct from the outside fabric.

FIG. 15 shows the “Air-Bag” inflated pants embodiment.

FIG. 16 shows the tan-through sun glasses embodiment.

FIG. 17 shows the snow boarder gas filled hat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the present invention. Here a lifevest 10is made using a film that is translucent to ultraviolet light. A goodexample of such a film is polyvinylidene fluoride. PVDF is distinctiveamong polymers in that rather than degrading from ultraviolet light itactually gets stronger by cross-linking. An oriented PVDF film is a goodtransmitter of ultraviolet (UV) light and can have a transmittance ashigh as 85%-90%.

Other useful materials include Ecdel from Eastman Chemical Company ofTennessee, TPX of Mitsui Plastic's Inc. of Japan, Teflon of DuPontEngineering Polymers, and Tenite of Eastman Chemical Company ofTennessee. Another suitable material would be a light stabilizedpolyamide based material. Such a light stabilized material is availablefrom Allied Signal Incorporated of Morristown, N.J.

The practitioner in the art can find many useful references to assist inthe choice of an appropriate material or fabric. For example, a materialthat will transmit visible and UV light but block infrared is taught inAllingham, et al. Mutzhas and Longstaff each teach appropriate materialsfor transmitting UV-A (lower frequency ultra-violet) and violet(visible). The following discussion of some of these material choices isliberally taken from them.

Polymers passing solar radiation, yet blocking infra-red radiation, canbegin with a matrix of polyethylene or a copolymer in which polyethylenepredominates, containing a sufficient quantity of a metaphosphate of ametal chosen from among group 1 to 3 of the periodic table. The additionof certain phosphates, and especially metaphosphates does notperceptibly impair the transmission of solar radiation, but changes in avery pronounced manner the transmission of infra-red radiation.

If the polyethylene or polyethylene copolymers have a finely dispersedphosphate ion (such as PO₄.⁻³) it will have a strong absorption in theIR region, while being substantially transparent in the visible range.The phosphates used are typically insoluble forms of sodium- potassium-calcium- or aluminum-metaphosphate. The quantity of these incorporatedin the polymeric matrix may be varied between 1 and 20 percent byweight, the preferred range being 3 to 10 percent by weight. Thepreferred polyethylene is low density polyethylene or copolymers ofethylene with vinyl acetate. The insoluble forms of the abovemetaphosphates can be blended with a granulate of polyethylene bystandard industrial processes, such as milling or double screwextrusion. The material can be blow-extruded and the resulting filmshave good mechanical strength. Experiments have shown that films of lowdensity polyethylene containing from 5 to 10 percent by weight of sodiummetaphosphate, or of potassium metaphosphate have good mechanicalproperties; they are substantially transparent to solar radiation, yetabsorb at least 80 percent of infrared radiation.

Metaphosphates, or polymethaphosphates of aluminum, calcium, barium,etc. may also be suitable.

For the Tan-Thru™ embodiment the plastics material, which preferable isa thermo-plastic material or acrylic resin in the form of either a thinfilm or woven or knitted material, should exhibit the property of beingtransparent to long wave UV-A radiation of wavelengths between 320 and400 nm and to visible light in the range between 400 and 450 nm whichare those particularly associated with immediate pigment tanning. Inaddition, the visible light associated within the range 450-700 nm and amajor portion of the IR wavelengths greater than 700 nm are absorbed.

Suitable materials are resins of vinyl chloride, polyolefins such aspolyethylene and polypropylene, or acrylic resins such aspolymethyl-methacrylate. The vinyl chloride resins referred to arehomopolymers or copolymers of vinyl chloride and such resins may, inaddition, contain plasticizers preferably of phathallate esters.Copolymers such as polyethylene/vinyl acetate and butadiene/styrenewould also suffice. A preferred material is a plasticized polyvinylchloride film of thickness between 100 and 300 microns, for example, 175microns, and this may be a single film or a laminate formed with areinforcing nylon or polyester net to give greater physical strength.

Whichever of the resins is used, it should not have a significantabsorption, i.e., greater than 30%, of radiation of wavelengths between310 and 450 nm. The resin should also be light-stable and non-volatileat the relatively high temperatures used in extrusion or callendering(i.e. about 150.degree.-200.degree. C.). Because these resins aretransparent to substantially all of the available energy in the UV-A andUV-B wavelengths and most of the visible and IR spectrum, additionalagents described below need to be added to the formulations toselectively filter the wave bands of light previously mentioned in orderto achieve the desired effects.

As an alternative to rigid or plasticized thermoplastic film, a woven orknitted fabric preferably of nylon or polyester filaments may be used. Asuitable support material is the polyester polyethylene terephthalate.Care must be taken to ensure that the particular cross-section of thefiber, the number of fibers per element and the orientation of the fiberin the woven or knitted fabric does not cause excessive light reflectionor defraction. One example is ICI polyester.

A second fabric alternative to rigid film would be Tietex.RTM. 18 gaugewarp-knitted polyester. This particular fabric has highly organizedlinear orientated fibers which minimizes light detraction and encourageshigh general light transmission.

Because these polyesters have a high UV-B absorbing capacity in theirown right, i.e. without additional UV absorbing agents, only thoseagents imparting visible and IR absorption need be added to create anideal sunscreen.

The agent used typically in the rigid or plasticized film to achieveUV-B leakage in the range of 310-320 nm is ethylhexyl-p-methoxycinnamateat a weight concentration of 0.05%, when the film thickness is between100-300 microns. For the same film, pigments such as Microlith VioletB-K, Cromoptal Blue A3R (Ciba-Geigy) and PV Carmine HF4C (Hoescht) at aconcentration of 0.1% w/w provide ideal visible light absorption as wellas imparting attractive coloration, and a heat sink comprising thermalblack (finely divided carbon black) at a concentration of for example,0.5% w/w, to absorb IR radiation. Film compounded from plasticized PVCand containing the above ingredients serves to transmit 20% UV-B in thewavelength range 310-320 nm, but excludes substantially all UV-B in therange 290-310 nm.

Similar levels of UV-B irradiance in the range 310-320 nm would beachieved by deployment of the previously described fiber fabrics,suitably surface printed or dyed with disperse dyes such as DispersolRed B2-B at 2.25% w/w concentration. Infra-red may be absorbed by carbonblack as previously described or reflected by titanium dioxide.

The life vest embodiment is made by having vertical separating walls 12,which break the vest into chambers 14. Each chamber 14 is filled withultraviolet transmitting gas such as carbon dioxide or air or nitrogenamong many others.

A molded plastic zipper 16 is used to secure the vest to the subject.Other methods of securement could be used as well. Straps to go aroundthe back or crotch straps 200 (see FIG. 14) would also be acceptable.They preferably would be made of an oriented PVDF or other UVtransmissive materials.

The vest in FIG. 1 shows one embodiment for an over-the-neck type oflife jacket. The same idea of the invention could easily be applied to atraditional vest type that goes all around the back without departingfrom the spirit of the invention. This is shown is later figures.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the cells of the invention as shown inFIG. 1. Bulkhead walls 12 again are separating the vest and the chambers14 from each other which are each filled with the inert gas.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the present invention that inflates onlyin response to water immersion. This “acute” embodiment uses acompressed carbon dioxide reservoir 18, which is triggered by the watersensor 20 to release the carbon dioxide into the vest to inflate it.Other compressed gases could be used as well.

This vest would be very comfortable and lightweight for subjects and yetwould inflate instantly upon immersion in water. Even if the material isnot 100% transmissive to the ultraviolet light, one can match thetransmission by using the appropriate degree of sunblock on the exposedlimbs. For example, one might use a 4 or 6 level sunblock on the arms toavoid having any contrasting tans.

FIG. 4 shows a more detailed version of the inflatable embodiment of theinvention. The vest has manual inflation straws 40 as well as emergencyinflation handle 62. The emergency inflation handles 62 allows the gasfrom the CO.sub.2 cartridge 54 to immediately fill the vest. A spare CO₂cartridge 56 can also be incorporated in the vest. Item 57 is anautomatic inflation means. This system works by either sensing the waterelectrically or through a fast chemical solution to allow the CO₂ to beinjected into the vest. The closure 60 needs to be strong enough to hold1600 newtons of force (360 lb.) alone or through the combined strengthof multiple closures.

Passive intrinsic flotation means 46 are an alternative also included inthe vest. These can be made of light transmissive foam. The vestincludes very reliable securement means to pull the two sides of thevest across the users chest 60 along with a retainer 58 for eachadjustable closure 60 to prevent it from being easily removed. Allcorners 42 are rounded to prevent irritation or cutting of the user andedges 44 are heat sealed to prevent leakage.

FIG. 5 shows the details of the rapid CO₂ inflator. The system 70 has anindicator 72 to indicate whether the system is ready to use or not. The12-gram CO₂ cartridge 76 is inserted into an insert 74. The handle 78 isjerked to instantly inflate.

FIG. 6 shows more details of a deluxe embodiment of the invention. Itbegins with an inflated collar 80 to help right the wearer in the water.The passive inflation mechanism 82 is shown in four locations: the topand bottom of the vest and the left and right sides. Each mechanism 82has a non-toxic mouthpiece 114 and a deflation squeeze bulb 112. Each isbonded to the vest with a transparent collar 108.

The vest may have passive flotation elements, which are merely a sealedgas such as the pockets 88 or of transmissive foam such as those inpockets 104. An integral pump 90 can be used if someone would rathersqueeze with their hands then to blow air into the device.

Pressure release valve 84 found on each side of the vest is to releaseexcessive pressure from a CO₂ malfunction, excessive manual inflationfollowed by high temperature, or someone jumping on the vest. This wouldallow enough air to leak out to prevent damage to the vest. The seams 94are sewn to meet the Class 300 lockstitch level to meet federal standard751.

FIG. 7 gives details of the embodiment of the invention optimized toenhance the rescue of the wearer. The automatic inflation causes themast 142 to inflate which positions flashing light 120 above the head ofthe wearer. This also positions metalized flat surface 122 above thehead of the wearer to better reflect radar. Incorporated in the light122 could also be an ELT beacon or automatically operated cell phone togenerate a distress call. Conventional strobe light 124 or glowing light140 are shown as alternative embodiments to be attached to the main partof the vest. Whistle 126 is also available for the wearer's use. Pockets127 can be used by the wearer to store emergency supplies or keys.Pocket 128 holds a long fluorescent colored ribbon to further aid in therescue of the wearer. A first aid kit 136 could be included as well ascell phone 134 and patch repair kit 132.

The automatic inflation as well as the permanently inflated PFD chambershave integral fluid which is not hard in the presence of CO₂ but hardensvery quickly in the presence of oxygen or nitrogen. Thus if any leakwere detected these would be self-sealing. This would be especially truealong the stitch cracks of the stitching 130. This self-healing fluidwould not work with breathing inflation as the oxygen and nitrogen fromthe breath would initiate the sealing process.

FIG. 8 shows means of allowing a single path of inflation means orpressurized gas means to inflate the vest and yet maintain integrity ofthe multiple chambers. With this design there is a bi-leaflet reed valve150 between a pressurized supply chamber and the receiving chamber. Thisallows the flow of the gas from the pressurized source to all chambers.However, if one of the chambers develops a leak it will not dischargeall of the chambers. For example if the primary chamber 1 develops aleak it will only discharge itself.

If, in a worse case situation, one of the third level chambers were tobe punctured and completely deflate, it would deflate itself as well asthe second level chamber that fed it and the first level chamber.However, this is only 3 of the 9 chambers lost due to the severedeflation on the one chamber and is much preferable to having the wholesystem deflated.

In the alternative a valve system could go by hose from the pressure andgas source to each one of the individual chambers. This would ensurethat the deflation of no chamber could interfere with its neighbors.However, this adds expense and weight and makes transmissibility ofvisible and ultraviolet light more problematical.

FIG. 9 shows the detail of the fail-safe mechanism for the watersensitive element. If the water sensitive element 158 is not fullyinserted into the sensor mechanism 162 then the hole 160 will not beable to allow the insertion of the CO₂ cartridge.

FIG. 10 shows the detail of a rough mesh backing to improve wearercomfort. The back of the vest 180 is covered with a very coarse mesh 182to allow for some air circulation and to decrease the uncomfortablestickiness of the vest.

FIG. 11 a, b, and c show alternative backings to reduce the discomfortfrom the plastic adhering to the skin. In FIG. 11 a, rib design 184 hasa structure to keep the backside of the vest off of the skin. Thisallows some circulation of the air from top to bottom through the vest.In FIG. 11 b, crosshatched design 186 reduces the area of the vest thatis in direct contact with the skin but does not allow any airflow. InFIG. 11 c, dimpled design 188 is the preferred approach as it allowsairflow in both directions under the vest.

FIG. 12 shows the closed valve cell foam embodiment of the invention. Inthis embodiment the chambers are made of closed cell foam 190 which isprotected by transparent film 192.

Transparent foam is very difficult to make because of the Snell's lawcausing multiple pathways for the light as it goes in and out of eachcell. However, the foam can be made translucent to allow the passage ofultraviolet light. A representative translucent foam material is highclarity polypropylene combined with endothermic buoying agents which isavailable from Coral Foam Company located at www.Coralfoam.com.

Also the NuSil Technology Company of Carpenteria, Calif. has a productR1-2354 which is a high strength RTV silicon foam which when catalyzedyields a medium density flame retardant silicone foam which is flexibleand translucent.

These foams, while they are not transparent enough to, say, read anewspaper through, will allow, with some distortion, the basic images ofa bathing suit to come through and thus achieve some of the vanity andappearance goals of the invention.

FIG. 13 shows the life vest embodiment of the invention with crotchstraps. The importance of these straps lies in the Coast Guardclassification of life vests for slow speed usage. In order to have avest approved for higher speed usage, it must be very securely attachedto the body. The crotch strap would allow the life vest of the instantinvention to be used with, say, jet skis.

FIG. 14 shows an embodiment of the invention with the gas holdingpockets being distinct from the outer fabric. This is because an optimalmaterial for gas impermeability may not be optimal for abrasionresistance. Thus one could select a transparent polyvinyl (moderateabrasion resistance) for the internal gas pouches but use a highabrasion resistant material for the outer layers.

For a Tan-Thru™ life vest one would like to transmit UV-A for themelanization (skin tanning) properties but to limit the carcinogenicUV-B. The visible light is blocked for reasons of modesty and consumerchoice. For the UV-A infrared radiation, we have two choices which canreally correspond to two products, hence labeled optional.

For the Fast-Tan™ life vest, the UV-B would also be passed as the UV-Bis a strong promoter of melanization.

For the See-Thru™ life vest, the visible light is passed but both of theUV wavelengths are blocked. The infrared treatment is optional asdiscussed above. For the See & Tan-Thru™ life vest both visible and UV-Alight are transmitted but the UV-B is blocked.

The Greenhouse™ snow-ski vest (alternatively a coat with full lengthsleeves) would transmit UV-A. Visible light is blocked to allow for themore modest consumer. The UV-B passage is optional. Blocking thisreduces ultraviolet damage to light sensitive clothing beneath the vest.Gas filling is optional as it presents more insulation but also morebulk. Note that a single layer of UV-A passing material can warm theuser.

The Show-Me™ ski vest or jacket passes visible light to allow the wearerto reveal clothing or physique beneath. The UV-A passage is optionaldepending on the amount of warming desired. No gas filler is used forthis embodiment.

FIG. 15 shows the Air-Bag™ snow ski pants 230 which are gas filled. Theyoffer light weight warmth and cushioning for falls. They protect thehips from falls as air is a very good shock absorber. They would passvisible light to prevent apparent bulk. Other light wavelength passagechoices are optional. They are either worn over or under shorts 240 orlong underwear. The pants are filled permanently with multiple chamberssuch as shown in FIG. 14. Alternatively, each pant sleeve is one chamberwith tension pylons spaced every 1.5 cm to prevent bulging.

FIG. 16 shows the tan-through sun glasses embodiment of the invention.Here the bows 250 are made of a UV passing polymer. This polymer ispreferably also transparent to visible light. Alternatively, the bow isonly transparent to UV light. This allows tanning to occur under the bowlines so that the unsightly tan lines do not develop. The frames 260 arepreferably opaque to UV light to give maximum protection to the eyes.Alternatively, the frame is transparent to UV light at the brow line toeliminate that possible tan line. The lens 270 is made of conventionalmaterial.

FIG. 17 shows the snow boarder gas filled hat 280 with a safety channel290 around the ears to provide hearing for safety. The hat is filledpermanently with multiple chambers such as shown in FIG. 14.Alternatively, the whole hat is one chamber with tension pylons spacedevery 1.5 cm to prevent bulging. Preferably the size is chosen for atight fit to the head so that the portions extending down near the neckprovide sufficient means for securement to the head. Alternatively, astrap is provided which itself is preferably transparent.

Another embodiment of the invention is a tent that passes UV and visiblelight but blocks ultra-violet. This would warm up during the day yetretain the heat of the inhabitants at night.

It should be understood that the foregoing relates only to preferredembodiments of the present invention, and that many changes andmodifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A garment made from a first material, the firstmaterial being at least partially translucent to at least one spectrumof electromagnetic radiation, the first material being selected from thegroup consisting of polyvinylidene fluoride, cellulosic plastics,copolyester ethers, and polyamide polymers.
 22. The garment of claim 21wherein the cellulosic plastic is Tenite®.
 23. The garment of claim 21,wherein the copolyester ether is Ecdel®.
 24. The garment of claim 21,the garment being selected from the group consisting of pants, vests,coats, jackets, hats, gloves.
 25. The garment of claim 21, the firstmaterial a layer of the garment.
 26. The garment of claim 21, the firstmaterial being woven or knitted.
 27. A garment, the garment beingtransparent to UV-A radiation and transparent to UV-B radiation.
 28. Thegarment of claim 27, further being opaque to visible light.
 29. Thegarment of claim 27, further being opaque to infrared radiation.
 30. Thegarment of claim 27, further being transparent to infrared radiation.31. The garment of claim 27, the garment being selected from the groupconsisting of pants, vests, coats, jackets, hats, gloves.
 32. A garment,the garment being opaque to UV-A radiation, opaque to UV-B radiation,and transparent to visible light.
 33. The garment of claim 32, furtherbeing transparent to infrared radiation.
 34. The garment of claim 32,further being opaque to infrared radiation.
 35. The garment of claim 32,the garment being selected from the group consisting of pants, vests,coats, jackets, hats, gloves.